Multi-configurational wire-rod display rack

ABSTRACT

A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack is described. The display rack comprises one or more display modules having at least two vertical side frames provided with two spaced-apart vertically extending posts. A plurality of transverse horizontal attachment rods are removably secured between the posts of the end frames. The posts are interconnected at a top end by a transverse top horizontal member. The vertical side frames are interconnected together in spaced, parallel relationship by lower connecting cross-bars secured between a respective common one of the end posts of the pair of side frames, and a top connecting cross-bar secured between the transverse top horizontal members of the vertical side frames. A plurality of wire-rod product support-and-display accessories are removably supported between the attachment rods and span the at least two vertical side frames. A plurality of these racks may be disposed side-by-side to form a large flexible display structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-configurational wire-roddisplay rack comprised of modules of different sizes interconnectabletogether and wherein the rack may be accessible from opposed sidesand/or opposed ends thereof and includes selected ones of a multitude ofproduct support and display accessories.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Wire display racks are known for various utilities. For example,such racks are utilized in produce display for refrigerated displaycases to display produce and other products requiring refrigeration.U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,712 also describes a modular display rack which isconstructed of wire rod and including a plurality of disconnectable racksections to permit the size and capacity of the rack assembly to beselectively varied. It also comprises side frame members which supportremovable shelving. However, with the majority of these wire rod displayracks, the rack is not entirely formed of wire rod shelving or supportframes and these are difficult to assemble and clean and requireconsiderable time to modify. Furthermore, most of these racks are notaccessible from all sides thereof, are difficult to ship and convert toadapt to specific customer needs. Once the racks are installed they arenot very versatile and most of these display only on a single side anddo not provide high visibility. These racks cannot be classified assystems having a high degree of versatility.

[0003] With prior art wire rod display rack structures, it is oftennecessary to supply fasteners to secure support shelving therein. Often,these fasteners become lost and render the rack or sections thereofunusable. Some of these racks are also not sturdy and eye pleasing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide amulti-configurational wire display rack which overcomes thedisadvantages of the prior art and which is flexible, easy to erect,modify and relocate, easy to clean, which provides excellent visibilityby permitting light to go through the entire display rack and whichreadily adapts to customer needs by simple replacement of the productsupport-and-display accessories without the need of fasteners.

[0005] Other features of the multi-configurational wire display rack ofthe present invention include its simplification, ease of assembly andinstallation, components which adapt easily, can be used in manyapplications such as retail, industrial, medical etc., is easy to clean,versatile, etc . . . .

[0006] According to the above feature of the present invention there isprovided a multi-configurational wire-rod display rack which comprisesone or more display modules each having at least two vertical sideframes having two spaced-part vertically extending posts. A plurality oftransverse horizontal attachment rods are immovably secured between theposts of the end frames. The posts are interconnected at a top end by atransverse top, horizontal member. The vertical side frames areinterconnected together in spaced, parallel relationship by lowerconnecting cross-frames secured between a respective common one of theend posts of the pair of vertical end posts, and a top interconnectingmeans secured between the transverse top horizontal members of thevertical side frames. A plurality of wire-rod productsupport-and-display accessories are removably supported between theattachment rods without the use of fasteners and span the at least twovertical side frames.

[0007] Other features of the present invention can be summarized asfollows: A display rack system which provides quick field assembly ascompared to any gondola manufacturer, the system has many versatilefeatures, such as: add, reverse, slope and shelf. The system is modularin that all components work together to create a total system withseveral options such as: wire peg boards, wing racks and baskets. Thesystem can be used as an island display or gondola run of shelving. Thesystem also displays in opposed directions and end-to-end. The slopedshelves can create gravity feed or high visibility of products. Theshelves are also quick and easy to adjust. The shelves have a suspensiondesign with structural trussing for additional strength characteristics.They also have a unique locking design feature which prevents theshelves from disengaging upon impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing themulti-configurational wire display rack module constructed in accordancewith the present invention and utilizing a variety of productsupport-and-display accessories removably supported thereby;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multi-configurationalwire display rack module constructed in accordance with the presentinvention and also having product support-and-display accessoriessecured thereto and to the side frames thereof;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing themulti-configurational wire display rack module of the present inventionand provided with small transverse end modules secured thereto;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multi-configurational wiredisplay rack having a plurality of modules and interconnected small endmodules;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing amulti-configurational wire display rack comprising a plurality ofdisplay modules and small end modules interconnected together andaccessible from all four sides;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing themodule supported on casters for displacement thereof;

[0015]FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the construction of a shelfaccessory for securing within the module and provided with integrallyformed wire hooks;

[0016]FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the construction of abasket-type accessory;

[0017]FIG. 7C is a perspective view showing the construction of a wirerod peg board accessory;

[0018]FIG. 8A is a plan view of a further peg board accessory;

[0019]FIG. 8B is a top view of FIG. 8A;

[0020]FIG. 9A is a plan view of a vertical side frame provided withtransverse attachment rods in a half portion only of the space betweenthe opposed side posts;

[0021]FIG. 9B is a side view of FIG. 9A; and

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of thedisplay rack and particularly the post and the cross-frames.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1,there is shown generally at 10, a multi-configurational wire displayrack constructed in accordance with the present invention. This rack isbetter illustrated in FIG. 2 in its assembled form. As hereinshown therack consists of a display module which is formed by at least twovertical side frames 11 and 11′ having two spaced apart verticallyextending posts 12 and 12′. A plurality of transverse horizontalattachment rods 13 are immovably secured between the posts 12 and 12′.The side posts 12 and 12′ are interconnected at a top end by atransverse horizontal member, herein constituted by an integrally formedtransverse portion 14 of a rigid tubular rod constituting the verticallyextending posts 12 and 12′ and the transverse top horizontal member 14.This structure constitutes the vertical side frames 11 and 11′.

[0024] The vertical side frames 11 and 11′ are interconnected togetherin spaced parallel relationship by lower connecting cross-bars 15 and15′ secured between a respective common one of the end posts 12 and 12′of the pair of vertical end posts. The vertical side frames areinterconnected at a top end by connecting means in the form of a topconnecting cross-bar 16 secured between the transverse top horizontalmembers 14 and 14′. A plurality of wire-rod product support-and-displayaccessories 17 are removably supported between the attachment rods 13,without the use of fasteners or clamps, and span between the twovertical side frames 11 and 11′.

[0025] It is pointed out that the tubular rod of the side frames as wellas the lower and top cross-bars may be formed of hollow tubular rods ofsquare cross-section although not limited to this specificcross-sectional configuration, as will be described later with respectto the U-shape cross-section lower cross-bars. The top crossbar can alsoact as a hanging bar for clothing or other use. The top and bottomcross-bars are also interconnected to the side frames by bolts 18 orother type fasteners capable of providing for ease and rapidity ofinstallation and removal.

[0026] As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the horizontal attachment rods13 are elongated U-shaped rods defining opposed short right angle endsections 13′ and an elongated intermediate straight section 13″. Theshort end sections 13′ are connected to a respective one of the twospaced-apart vertically extending posts 12 and 12′ with the intermediatestraight sections 13″ disposed to one side of the vertically extendingposts 12 and 12′ and projecting slightly therefrom as can be seen fromthe lower end section of the right-hand vertical side frame 11′illustrated in FIG. 1. These straight sections project a predetermineddistance from the vertically extending posts 12 and 12′ to provide aclearance gap for insertion of the support-and-display accessories 17secured between the two vertical side frames. As also shown, thehorizontal attachment rods 13 are disposed in spaced parallelrelationship and extend a predetermined distance spaced from thetransverse top horizontal member 11 and terminate just above theconnection of the lower connecting cross-bars 15. The cross-bars 15 and15′ are U-shaped channels with the U disposed inwardly facing oneanother. Accordingly, the lower flange 15″ of the cross-bars can supporta shelf such as shelf 22′.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the right-hand vertical side frame isherein shown as an intermediate side frame 11′ and it is used in a twoor more module display rack as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 4. Theintermediate side frame 11′ is provided with horizontal attachment rods13 projecting from opposed sides thereof with the rods aligned with oneanother in horizontal parallel relationship.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the display rack modules 10, 10′ and 10″ areinterconnected together by the top connecting bars 16, 16′ and 16″ andthe lower connecting cross-bars 15 and 15′ of each module. Theillustration in FIG. 4 shows different types of productsupport-and-display accessories 17 with some of the shelves such as 17′being angularly and removably supported in one of the modules 10. Theseaccessories are all wire rod formed accessories with cross-rods weldedtogether at their intersections, as is well known in the art, and someof the shelving may be provided with zig-zag reinforcing transverse endribs 20 as is better shown in FIG. 1. Further, all of these accessoriesare integrally formed with wire hook ends 21 which may vary inconfiguration depending on the accessory and its interconnection withinthe module. These accessories may be constituted by various types ofshelving 22 or baskets 23 or other accessories as will be describedlater on but the present invention is not intended to be limited to anyof these specific accessories.

[0029] Referring again to FIG. 4, there is shown the construction of asmall display module 25 which is constructed exactly as the modules 10but of a much smaller size and dimensioned in length to be equal to thewidth of the modules 10. These small end modules 25 are hereinshown asdisposed transversely against and outwardly of one or both vertical sideframes 11′ of the display rack module 10″ or 10. The end modules arealigned with a common one of the posts herein identified by numerals 26and 26′ of the frames of the display module 25 disposed side-by-sidewith an associated one of the two spaced-apart vertically extendingposts 11′ and 11 of the display rack module 10″. These adjacentlydisposed posts 11 and 26 and 11′ and 26′ may be interconnected togetherby removably securable clamps 27 which may be snap-fit connected orotherwise clamps opposed vertical posts. The clamps interconnectadjacent modules 10 and end modules 25.

[0030] The end display modules 25 also have smaller sized productsupport-and-display accessories 28 supported between its attachment rods13. As previously described, these end racks are of the sameconstruction as the main rack modules 10 but of much smaller size andprovide for an end display.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, two of the multi-configurational wire displayracks as shown in FIG. 4 are interconnected together in side-by-siderelationship by further clamps 27′ although not essential, which areconveniently positioned along adjacent vertical extending posts 12 and12′. The display rack structure as shown in FIG. 5 is a very largestructure and is accessible from all four sides. As can readily be seen,because the display rack is constructed of wire-rod accessories, lighteasily permeates through the entire rack making all of the articlesvisible. Also, because articles intended to be positioned thereon allhave different type and coloured packaging, it makes the entire displayrack very attractive. Another important feature of such large wiredisplay rack structures, as shown in FIG. 5, is that the accessories ofeach of the modules can be independently modified by simply removing theaccessories and replacing them with another type of accessory to eitherdivide a shelf section, provide a different type shelf, convert theshelf into a peg board, or simply move the accessories to differentlocations. Flexibility of the wire display rack as shown in FIG. 5 ispractically unlimited.

[0032] Another use of the multi-configurational wire display rack module10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. As hereinshown,casters 30 are secured to the bottom of the vertically extending posts12 and 12′ of each of the vertical side frames 11 and 11′ whereby toconstruct a mobile display rack or a mobile dolly for use intransporting various type products such as for use in hospitals, grocerymarts, etc. Of course, solid wall trays or boxes may be positioned onthe shelving 22 of the mobile rack. The casters may also be providedwith brakes.

[0033] With reference now to FIGS. 7A to 7C, there is shown theconstruction of specific accessories although a multitude of these maybe provided. As shown in FIG. 7A, the shelving 22 is formed by aplurality of parallel spaced wire rods 32 welded together at theirjunctions with the re-enforcing transverse zig-zag ribs 20 andcross-rods 33 at their respective ends. These reinforcing zig-zag ribs20 provide rigidity for shelves having long spans between the attachmentrods 13. As hereinshown, the rear end of the shelf has an upturned wirewall 34.

[0034] In FIG. 7B, there is shown the construction of a shallow wire rodbasket 23 and like the shelf 22, it is provided with integrally formedhook ends 21 for attachment to the horizontal attachment rods 13. Hookends are also formed with the bottom wall 35 of the basket as well asthe top edge 36 to provide attachments at the bottom and top level.

[0035]FIG. 7C shows a wire formed peg board 37 and it is formed of aplurality of spaced apart horizontally disposed wire rods 38 andtransverse rods 39 welded together. These peg boards can be attachedeither horizontally or vertically within the frame by various attachmentmeans or integrally formed hooks or inturned end wall sections 40.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B there is shown the construction of afurther wire formed peg board 50. As hereinshown the peg board is formedby a plurality of spaced apart horizontally disposed wire rods 51 andtransverse rods 52 welded together at their intersection. Some of thesehorizontal rods 51 or U-shaped hooks 53, formed of wire rods sections,are also welded adjacent opposed corners of the rectangular peg board50. These U-shaped hooks define a mouth opening 54 whereby to receivetherein the transverse horizontal attachment rods 13 of the side frames.Accordingly, it can be seen that the peg board 50 can be disposed at anylocation along opposed side frames 11 and 11′ and at any depth betweenthe side posts 12 and 12′. Various support rods or brackets (not shown)are removably secured to the peg board to support stacked articlesthereon. These peg boards can also be secured over the lower connectingrods cross-bars 15 between the attachment rods 13 to form a lower basketover the bottom shelf 22′.

[0037]FIGS. 9A and 9B show a further construction of the vertical sideframes 11 and 11′. The modified side frame 55 as hereinshown is providedwith a center post 56 and an end post 57. Short transverse horizontalattachment rods 58 extend between the end post and the center post.Accordingly, only half of the side frame is provided with attachmentrods to support shelving or other type accessories as disclosed hereinand obvious to a person skilled in the art. The attachment rods 58 alsoextend on both sides of the posts 56 and 57 as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

[0038]FIG. 10 shows a further modification wherein the side posts 60 and60′ are round posts and provided with attachment sleeves 61 in thecorners of a lower shelf 62 and a top interconnecting frame 63. Theshelves have transverse end trusses 64 and side trusses 65 forreinforcement. The side trusses 65 constitute the cross-frames such ascrossbars 15 and 15′ illustrated in FIG. 1. This round post design iswell known in the art but not when used in the present wire display racksystem.

[0039] The top of the side posts 60 and 60′ of the side frames 11 arealso interconnected together and with the posts of the other frame 11′(see FIG. 1) by the top interconnecting frame 63 comprised of attachmentsleeves 67, a cross-wire truss 68 and a pair of side wire trusses 69.Only one end of the frame is herein shown but the other end isidentical. Further, the pair of side wire trusses 69 could be replacedby a single central wire truss, as is obvious to a person skilled in theart. The transverse horizontal attachment rods 66 are secured to theposts 60 and 60′ by top and bottom clips 70 or could be welded thereto.

[0040] It is pointed out that it is within the ambit of the presentinvention to cover any obvious modifications of the preferred embodimentdescribed herein provided such modifications fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack comprising oneor more display modules, each module having at least two vertical sideframes, each side frame having two spaced-apart vertically extendingposts, a plurality of transverse horizontal attachment rods immovablysecured between said posts of said side frames, said posts beinginterconnected at a top end by a transverse top horizontal member, saidvertical side frames being interconnected together in spaced parallelrelationship by lower connecting cross-frames secured between arespective common one of said end posts of said pair of vertical endposts and a top interconnecting means secured between said transversetop horizontal members of said vertical side frames; and a plurality ofwire-rod product support-and-display accessories removably supportedbetween said attachment rods without the use of fasteners and spanningsaid at least two vertical side frames.
 2. A multi-configurationalwire-rod display rod rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcross-frames are crossbars.
 3. A multi-configurational wire-rod displayrack as claimed in claim 2 wherein said top connecting means is a topconnecting cross-bar.
 4. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rackas claimed in claim 3 wherein said transverse top horizontal member andsaid posts are integrally formed by a bent rigid tubular rod.
 5. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 4wherein said tubular rod is a metal hollow rod of square cross-section.6. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 3wherein said horizontal attachment rods are elongated U-shaped rodsdefining opposed short right angle end sections and an elongatedintermediate straight section, said end sections being connected to arespective one of said two spaced-apart vertically extending posts withsaid intermediate straight section disposed horizontally to one side andbetween said vertically extending posts at a predetermined distancetherefrom to form a clearance gap for insertion of said accessoriesbetween said at least two vertical side frames.
 7. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 6wherein said horizontal attachment rods' are secured between said postsin equidistantly spaced parallel relationship and extend a predetermineddistance from said transverse top horizontal member to said lowerconnecting cross-bars.
 8. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rackas claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said vertical side frames is anintermediate side frame in a two or more module display rack structure,said intermediate side frame having horizontal attachment rodsprojecting on opposed sides thereof with said rods on opposed sidesaligned with one another in horizontal planes.
 9. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 8wherein said two or more modules of said display rack are interconnectedtogether by said top connecting bars and said lower connectingcross-bars.
 10. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimedin claim 3 wherein said wire-rod product support-and-display accessoriesare provided with wire hooks integrally formed therewith for attachmentto said horizontal attachment rods or to others of said accessories. 11.A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 10wherein said accessories is one of wire shelving, wire baskets, wire pegboards, wire hangers, wire partitions, or other wire accessories.
 12. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 3wherein there is further provided a caster secured to a bottom end ofeach said vertically extending posts to provide for a mobilemulti-configurational rack.
 13. A multi-configurational wire-rod displayrack as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is further provided, incombination with said module, a small one of said display moduledimensioned for transverse disposition against said vertical side frameand constitutes an end module outwardly of one or both of said verticalside frames of said display rack with a common rear one of said posts ofsaid side frames of said end display module disposed side-by-side withan associated one of said two spaced-apart vertically extending posts ofsaid display rack.
 14. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack asclaimed in claim 13 wherein said posts disposed side-by-side areinterconnected by one or more module securable clamps.
 15. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 13wherein one of said vertical side frames is an intermediate side framein a two or more module display rack, said intermediate side framehaving horizontal attachment rods projecting on opposed sides thereofwith said rods on opposed sides aligned with one another in horizontalplanes.
 16. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed inclaim 13 wherein said two or more modules of said display rack areinterconnected together by said top connecting cross-bars and said lowerconnecting cross-bars.
 17. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rackas claimed in claim 13 wherein there are two or more of said displaymodules disposed and interconnected end-to-end to form a display rackstructure with two or more of said modules, said two spaced-apartvertically extending posts of adjacent modules being interconnected byone or more nodule securable clamps.
 18. A multi-configurationalwire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 13 wherein there are two ormore of said display racks interconnected side-by-side or end-to-end inaligned relationship and interconnected by a plurality of modulesecurable clamps securing vertically extending posts of adjacent rackstogether to form a multi-module display rack structure accessible fromall four sides thereof and formed entirely of wire-rod productsupport-and-display accessories.
 19. A multi-configurational wire-roddisplay rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one of said verticallyextending posts is a center post and an end post, said attachment rodsbeing secured between said center post and said end post whereby tosupport said accessories in a half portion of a space defined between atleast two vertical side frames.
 20. A multi-configurational wire-roddisplay rack as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said accessories is awire-rod peg board comprised of plurality of horizontally spacedparallel horizontal wire rods welded to transverse rods to form arectangular panel, U-shaped wire hooks each defining a mouth openingprojecting from respective corners of said panel for receiving thereinone of said horizontal attachment rods.
 21. A multi-configurationalwire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cross-framesare reinforced truss members of a lower wire shelf.
 22. Amulti-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 1wherein said vertically extending posts are of circular cross-section.23. A multi-configurational wire-rod display rack as claimed in claim 1wherein said top connecting means is a top interconnecting frame securedto said vertically extending posts and having at least one reinforcedtruss member.